Page 33 - Prescription for Crime Drug Testing

Mock

Trial

USING THIS KIT IN THE MOCK TRIAL more interesting and thorough trial. Information on
Prescription for Crime contains information that running a mock trial follows.
could prove the presence and presumptively iden-
tify of an illegal substance in the powder found in
the truck. The evidence collected in this lab can- BEFORE THE TRIAL
not prove conclusively that any specific person If a more thorough social studies activity is de-
was present at the scene and cannot attest to the sired, students may be instructed to read through
actions of that person. If everything in the lab was the procedures for trial of criminal cases and the
performed correctly you should have obtained the simplified rules of evidence. Additionally, lessons
following information: designed to familiarize students with the court sys-
tem and judicial procedure may prove beneficial.

 The white powder lab results should
have in- dicated that the dilutant in the BRAINSTORMING
substance was cornstarch.
Using the story and module evidence, list the facts
 By looking at the data from the GC- of the case on the board.
Mass Spec, the illegal substance found
in the powder could be identified as Determine, as a class, who should be charged for
methamphetamine.
each crime.

Put students into brainstorming groups. Give all
If Drug Testing is the only kit done in the Mys- tery groups five to ten minutes to develop hypotheses
of Lyle and Louise, a mock trial is unlikely to be for each of the following:
useful, since prosecution has little evidence for a
suspect. Instead, leave the results as an exercise in 1. Identify how each fact may support the case
drug testing and analysis. If other exercises were presented by the prosecution.
performed, a mock trial can help students take all
of the evidence presented in the investigation and 2. Identify how each fact may support the case
available from other kits into account and provide a presented by thedefense.

THE MYSTERY OF LYLE AND LOUISE 33